About graphic elements

This topic explains how to work with the common features of graphic elements.

Graphic elements are basic shapes and controls you can use to create a graphic. You can:

• Draw an element by selecting an element from the Tools panel, placing it on the canvas, and then configuring its properties.

• Select one or more elements on the canvas with the mouse or from the Elements list.

• Edit certain elements in a special way called inline editing.

• Copy, cut, paste, and duplicate elements.

• Move elements around on the canvas.

• Align elements to each other.

• Change the spacing between elements.

• Resize elements.

• Change the z-order of elements to change which elements appear on top of others when they overlap.

• Rotate elements.

• Change the origin of elements to specify around which point the elements are rotated.

• Flip elements on their horizontal or vertical axis.

• Lock elements to stop them being moved or changed.

• Undo and redo any number of changes made previously to the graphic.

• Create groups of elements to bind them together.

• Create a path graphic from multiple open line elements.

• Import an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) graphic.